Month: April 2014

Equality Virginia urges Gov. McAuliffe, AG Herring to allow married lesbian and gay couples to file their state tax returns based on their federal returns

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 30, 2014

Contact: Kirsten Bokenkamp, [email protected], 804.643.4816; 202.957.6611

RICHMOND – Tax professionals, Equality Virginia, and a married lesbian couple came together Wednesday to explain that Virginia’s policy of requiring married lesbian and gay couples to file their state income tax returns as “individuals” is not only burdensome and confusing, but also discriminatory toward married gay and lesbian couples while also hurting businesses.

“Virginia’s tax policy turns its back on simple, fair, and transparent federal laws that allow married lesbian and gay couples to file their federal tax returns jointly,” said James Parrish, executive director or Equality Virginia.  “All Virginians – including our many diverse communities, our businesses, and our children – would benefit from a more equitable tax policy.  Equality Virginia urges Governor McAuliffe and Attorney General Herring to put a stop to this nonsensical, needlessly complicated, and backwards looking policy.”

Stephanie and Desiree Bryan, a married lesbian couple expecting twin girls any day, face various challenges as they prepare for the birth of their twins.  “We will have to decide who claims our babies as dependents for state tax purposes only, and then make sure we track payment of medical and other expenses separately.  That is required now in order to comply with health savings account rules,” said Stephanie Bryan.  “Unlike the IRS, Virginia doesn’t treat us like a family.”

A certified public accountant and tax attorney speaking on Wednesday agree that the policy is not only hurting married couples, but also businesses based in Virginia.  “The Virginia Department of Taxation is giving advice to employers that is discriminatory towards married lesbian and gay couples,” said Richmond based tax attorney, Katie Fletcher.

“Non-conformity is causing both individual and business taxpayers unnecessary additional preparation time and cost, as well as additional taxes that they would not otherwise be subject to,” said Kenneth Dance, partner at Wells Coleman & Company.

Due to the Supreme Court’s decision on DOMA in 2013, married gay and lesbian couples – regardless of the state in which they reside – are now required to file their federal taxes as married.

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Equality Virginia is a statewide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Virginians.  Since 1989, EV has worked to end discrimination, protect families and build safe communities.  More information is online at EqualityVirginia.org.  Connect on Facebook.com/EqualityVA or Twitter @EqualityVA.

For Immediate Release:  April 22, 2014

Contact: Kirsten Bokenkamp, [email protected]; 804.643.4816

RICHMOND — Extending marriage to lesbian and gay couples in Virginia would generate up to $60 million in spending to the state economy according to a report released today by the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law.

“This report clearly shows that allowing lesbian and gay couples to marry in Virginia is not only the right thing to do, but would also have a positive impact on our economy,” said James Parrish, executive director of Equality Virginia.

According to 2010 U.S. Census, the most recent data available, 14,244 same-sex couples live in Virginia. Of those couples, the Williams Institute estimates that 50 percent (7,122 couples) would choose to marry in the first three years, a pattern that has been observed in Massachusetts and elsewhere. Nearly 5,000 marriages would occur in the first year alone, and bring up to $38 million in revenue to the state of Virginia that year.

Key findings include:

• Direct spending by resident same-sex couples on their weddings would add an estimated $39 million to $50 million to the state and local economy over the first three years.
• An estimated three year total $8 million to $10 million would be spent in Virginia by out-of-state guests attending weddings of same-sex couples.
• The total spending on wedding arrangements and tourism would generate an additional $46 million to $60 million to the state and local economy in the first three years, with $30 million to $38.5 million generated in the first year alone.
• This economic boost would likely add $2.5 million to $3.2 million tax dollars to state and local coffers.
• Wedding-related spending and tourism would generate approximately 459 to 595 new jobs in Virginia over the first three years. 

 

As the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals prepares to hear oral arguments next month in Bostic vs. Schaefer, married gay and lesbian couples across the commonwealth will gather their friends and families together at CookOUTs for Marriage Equality.  The CookOUTs are organized by Equality Virginia and are a way to celebrate the thousands of marriages that Virginia refuses to recognize, and to show the rest of Virginia that there is widespread support among Virginians for marriage equality.

“Our ban on marriage is out-of-step with the majority of Virginians who support marriage equality,” said Parrish.  “The ban is not only hurting loving lesbian and gay couples in Virginia – it is also hurting our economy. This report shows that all Virginians would benefit from marriage equality.”

The study is available here.

For more information about the study, please contact Laura Rodriguez, 310-956-2425; [email protected]

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Equality Virginia is a statewide, non-partisan education, outreach, and advocacy organization seeking equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Virginians.  Since 1989, EV has worked to end discrimination, protect families and build safe communities.  More information is online at EqualityVirginia.org.  Connect on Facebook.com/EqualityVA or Twitter @EqualityVA.

More than 1,000 people attend 11th Annual Commonwealth Dinner, benefits go toward work for LGBT equality in Virginia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 5, 2014

Contact: Kirsten Bokenkamp, [email protected];  804.643.4816

RICHMOND – At its 11th Annual Commonwealth Dinner on Saturday night, Equality Virginia celebrated its 25th year of working toward equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Virginians.   A crowd of over 1,000 people – including distinguished guests Senator Mark Warner, Attorney General Mark Herring, Lt. Governor Ralph Northam, U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott, and a number of state and local elected officials – came together in support of Equality Virginia and the work it does on behalf of Virginia’s LGBT community.

“We have a lot to celebrate,” said Equality Virginia executive director James Parrish. “Our last election showed that Virginia understands the value of protecting LGBT individuals and families.  Today, a majority of Virginians support marriage equality and laws to prohibit discrimination in the workplace.  Virginia has rounded the corner, and the future looks bright.”

Critically acclaimed actress and star of Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black” Laverne Cox delivered a powerful and lively keynote address and Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Jonathan Capehart emceed the evening.

Long-time advocate for the LGBT community, U.S. Senator Mark Warner received a warm welcome.

“It took the focused effort of organizations like Equality Virginia to educate people around the state and country about the injustices faced by the LGBT community,” said Senator Mark Warner.  “Working together, we can make Virginia, and the United States, a more fair, open, inclusive and welcoming place.”

Virginians leading LGBT equality efforts – OUTstanding Virginians – were recognized at the dinner for their contributions to moving the LGBT community forward.

“We have made progress in Virginia over the past 25 years because these OUTstanding Virginians – and many other individuals throughout the commonwealth – have educated their communities that LGBT individuals and families are deserving of the same respect and protection under the law as all other Virginians,” said Parrish.  “We are very pleased to recognize the 2014 OUTstanding Virginians for continuing to move Virginia towards equality and fairness.”

The 11th Annual Commonwealth Dinner was held at the Richmond Convention Center.

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